Loyola University New Orleans
Loyola University New Orleans — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Loyola University New Orleans at a Glance
Loyola University New Orleans is a private Jesuit university in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. Originally established as Loyola College in 1904, the institution was chartered as a university in 1912. It bears the name of the Jesuit founder, Saint Ignatius of Loyola, and is a member of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities.
1904
122 years old
$244M
$244.4 million (2024)
4,351
3,205 undergrad · 1,146 grad
23 acres
Identity
Is Loyola University New Orleans Worth It?
At a value score of 35/100, Loyola University New Orleans is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $52,927 — 2% below average — while paying $23,696/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 63% graduation rate means roughly 37% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
With a 93% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Loyola University New Orleans has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Loyola University New Orleans compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #45 of 111 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Saint Xavier University | 77 | $10,970 | $58,656 |
| #2 | Dominican University | 75 | $11,745 | $60,327 |
| #3 | Saint Peter's University | 72 | $12,199 | $57,815 |
| #4 | Trinity Washington University | 67 | $9,302 | $53,804 |
| #5 | Niagara University | 59 | $17,248 | $56,196 |
| #6 | Valparaiso University | 58 | $18,578 | $63,191 |
| #45 | Loyola University New Orleans | 35 | $23,696 | $52,927 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Loyola University New Orleans's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Loyola University New Orleans
The highest-earning program at Loyola University New Orleans is Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management at $15,200/year (4 years after graduation).
Your major matters more than the school name — a Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management graduate from Loyola University New Orleans earns $15,200, while a Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management graduate earns $15,200. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management graduates carry $24,813 in median debt vs. $24,813 for Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $23,696/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management | $15,200 | $15,200 | $24,813 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- New Orleans, LA
- Student Body
- 2,812 students
- Admission Rate
- 93%
- Graduation Rate
- 63%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $23,696
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $52,927
- Median Student Debt
- $26,000